Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., secured the Republican nomination for Florida governor on Tuesday, winning a crowded GOP primary with the backing of former President Donald Trump. Donalds, a third-term congressman, is now positioned to potentially succeed current two-term Governor Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited.
Donalds' campaign received a significant boost when Trump offered a preemptive endorsement in February, urging him to run for the state's highest office. "Byron Donalds would be a TRULY GREAT and POWERFUL Governor for Florida and, should he run, will have my complete and total endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!" Trump wrote in a social media post.
Despite the endorsement, Donalds faced a crowded field of Republican contenders, including Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. Collins, who ran on a platform of protecting the DeSantis legacy and was supported by the Florida GOP establishment, garnered approximately ()% of the vote, coming in second. Governor DeSantis did not endorse a candidate in the primary.
Donalds, who previously served as a Florida state lawmaker, is running on a platform that aligns with the "Trump agenda," emphasizing immigration enforcement, deregulation, lower taxes, and affordability. He has also pledged to focus on growing Florida’s infrastructure and completing the Everglades restoration.
Donalds is expected to face former Republican Congressman David Jolly in the general election. Jolly, who left the Republican party in 2018, is now running as a Democrat. He is also campaigning on an affordability message, framing the election as a critical decision for Florida's future. Florida has trended increasingly Republican in recent years, suggesting an advantage for the GOP nominee in the general election.